Classroom Ideas

Currently, I am teaching 4th grade reading, social studies, and math. I think that getting my students involved in blogging would be a great way to motivate them. They would learn so much from each other and have a chance to express their opinions. The blog that I will create will serve as a place for my students to discuss topics that are relevant to the standards. In reading "Web literacy for educators", Alan November (2008) explains that this is a way to integrate blogs into the classroom. I integrate many of my reading skills into my social studies lessons. A social studies blog would allow my students to express what they have learned about the material that we have discussed in class. I could incorporate various reading strategies such as summarizing a reading passage and writing an opinion. For example, I am currently teaching the American Revolution. This week, we have been discussing what factors caused the war. I could have the students write an opinion of how the colonists could have persuaded British Partliament from taxing them. Then, the students could comment to each others' opinions on this topic. I would like to also include interactive websites. I have found a great interactive website for my 4th grade students. This website was creatied by the eMints National Center. It includes videos, pictures, games, work searches, etc. about the American Revolution. My students will love it! http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000025.shtml
Please check it out and let me know your thoughts!

References:

November, A. (2008). Web literacy for educators. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.Copyright 2008 by Sage Publications, Inc.